The menisci
Arthroscopical sight of a normal medial meniscus
Medial and lateral meniscus function as a shock absorber in the knee joint. These are sickle- or crescent-shaped structures located between thigh and lower leg. The meniscus consists (similar to the discs of the spine) of fiber cartilage, a rubber-like substance and besides its function as a shock absorber it undertakes the task of leading the motion of the knee joint and of stabilizing the joint in addition to the structures of the ligaments.
The blood circulation of the menisci takes place from the blood vessels of the joint capsule (RR) and decreases inwardly (WW) (see picture).